It was a festive night of eating, drinking and community at Ventura County’s first and only public market, The Annex, the evening January 11th for a private VIP Celebration, which recently opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard.

The stars were out and shining brightly Sunday February 26 not only in Hollywood at the Kodak Theater for the Oscars, but here in the 805 at the Four Star Theater Alliance Awards Gala for Season 2016. The event was held at Moorpark's historic High Street Arts Centerto a full house.

Last Saturday night the Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic kicks off the New Year with a packed house to a bold jazz interpretation of the Tony Award winning musical The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, composed by George Gershwin with a libretto by DeBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, and adapted for the Broadway stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County’s (BBSVC) 8th Annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon was held last month at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo. The stylish event, benefiting BBSVC, had an amazing array of new designer and vintage handbags, jewelry, and accessories available for purchase or by auction.

The Erik ReeL solo exhibition of paintings, Full Circle, opened at the Morris Graves Museum of Art last month. There was a reception for the artist on Saturday April 2nd, with a talk by the artist and art critic Jae Carlsson [ArtForum, Dish] The exhibition features 16 works created especially for this exhibition, curated by Jemima Harr, Executive Director and Curator of the Museum.

Celebrities dressed in Western attire walked the red carpet this month as Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura presented the American Premiere of the stage play THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE by Jethro Compton. Attendees included musician Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Poco and Buffalo Springfield and his beautiful wife Michaela; Golden Globe nominated actor Ted Neeley with his wife Leeyan and daughter Tessa; and Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Spano with his daughters Liana and Meili.

The Dedication was open to local businesses, organizations and individuals who had an interest in honoring Rocky & Lon Morton. Event highlights included building tours and dedications followed by a luncheon.

]]>SOCIETY PAGESThu, 03 Mar 2016 09:00:00 +0000Santa Barbara Family YMCA Kicks Off 2016 Annual Campaign with Kentucky Derby-Themed Soiréehttps://society805.com/society-pages/santa-barbara-family-ymca-kicks-off-2016-annual-campaign-with-kentucky-derby-themed-soiree
https://society805.com/society-pages/santa-barbara-family-ymca-kicks-off-2016-annual-campaign-with-kentucky-derby-themed-soireeThe Santa Barbara Family YMCA launched its Annual Campaign earlier this month with a Kentucky Derby-themed soirée. Approximately 300 people attended to kick off the YMCA’s fundraising efforts with dinner, drinks and dancing.The Santa Barbara Family YMCA has set a goal of $185,000 for this year’s annual campaign, chaired by Matt Rowe and co-chaired by Tom and Beth Schmid. This year marks the sixth annual campaign that Rowe has participated in, and the third of which he has been campaign chair.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESThu, 18 Feb 2016 09:23:00 +0000Afternoon Teahttps://society805.com/society-pages/afternoon-tea
https://society805.com/society-pages/afternoon-teaA small group of Focus on the Masters supporters were treated to a personal tour of Lotusland's sensational art exhibition "FLOCK: birds on the brink" by guest curator Nancy Gifford. Included in the show are works from two of FOTM’s documented artists; Keith Puccinelli and Susan Tibbles. The exhibition ends on May 23. Organized by a devoted FOTM patron, the excursion concluded with a scrumptious tea at a private estate. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and contributed to FOTM's educational outreach.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESWed, 20 May 2015 22:26:58 +0000Pacific Pride Foundation's Royal Ball 2015https://society805.com/society-pages/pacific-pride-foundation-s-royal-ball-2015
https://society805.com/society-pages/pacific-pride-foundation-s-royal-ball-2015Pacific Pride Foundation (PPF) held its annual Royal Ball fundraiser on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, CA. The sold out event with 500 distinguished guests, celebrities, and dignitaries attended the fundraiser gala, which supports Pacific Pride Foundation’s vital programs and services for the LGBTQ and HIV communities.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESMon, 04 May 2015 07:00:00 +00001st Fridays in Ventura-Bell Arts Factory & Vita Art Centerhttps://society805.com/society-pages/1st-fridays-in-ventura-bell-arts-factory
https://society805.com/society-pages/1st-fridays-in-ventura-bell-arts-factory

BELL ARTS FACTORY- VITA ART CENTER

Home to artist studios and the Museum of Ventura County Tool Room Gallery, are open to the public First Fridays of each month. Artists can be seen working or displaying their art on days when there are special events taking place in the Tool Room Gallery or Community Room. Open every First Friday 6-9pm.

]]>SOCIETY PAGESTue, 18 Nov 2014 06:50:17 +0000Erik ReeL Solo Show of New Paintings "Rebar"https://society805.com/society-pages/erikl-reel-solo-show-of-new-paintings-rebar
https://society805.com/society-pages/erikl-reel-solo-show-of-new-paintings-rebarThe Museum of Ventura County exhibited new acrylic paintings by Erik ReeL last Friday evening at The Tool Room @ Bell Arts Factory. The show feature works from his most recent series, Rebar. This exhibition continues ReeL's exploration of mark-making and its relationships to signification. The rebar motif is a loosely defined metaphor for the strength at the core of meaning, something inside and hidden within the concrete.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESWed, 12 Nov 2014 02:19:59 +0000Art à la Mode Fundraising Galahttps://society805.com/society-pages/art-a-la-mode-fundraising-gala
https://society805.com/society-pages/art-a-la-mode-fundraising-galaOn Saturday September 20th,Studio Channel Islands Art CenterpresentedArt à la Mode, a celebration of art with gourmet dinner by Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events. The evenings honorees were visionaries and founders J. Handel & Carol Evans with the 2014 Medici Award. The evening entertainment featured a musical performance by Canadian Guitarist Kevin Enstrom. This amazing event was held at the Blackboard Gallery at Studio Channel Islands Art Center.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESFri, 03 Oct 2014 21:22:41 +0000VAM: Improvisational Painting in Ventura exhibition has got the EDGEhttps://society805.com/society-pages/vam-improvisational-painting-in-ventura-exhibition-has-got-the-edge
https://society805.com/society-pages/vam-improvisational-painting-in-ventura-exhibition-has-got-the-edgeCongratulations to the artists – Alphonso Acosta, Linda Garcia, Rima Muna, Devin Oatway, and Nash Rightmer; and to the curator, Erik ReeL, a vision well executed!
]]>SOCIETY PAGESWed, 23 Jul 2014 05:35:50 +0000Totally Local VC Dinner At The…Olivas Adobehttps://society805.com/society-pages/totally-local-vc-dinner-at-the-olivas-adobe
https://society805.com/society-pages/totally-local-vc-dinner-at-the-olivas-adobeThis past June 20th Kat Merrick's Totally Local VC held their Annual Dinner at the ...Dinner series at the Olivas Adobe.Gabrielle Moes of Seasons Catering was the chef for this magical evening under the magnolia trees and drinks were featured from Four Brix Winery, Surf Brewery and Beacon Coffee. At $135.00 per person, it was well worth the price and what a great concept, everything totally local and so very delectable.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESThu, 10 Jul 2014 07:00:00 +0000Santa Barbara Symphony May Concerthttps://society805.com/society-pages/santa-barbara-symphony-may-concert
https://society805.com/society-pages/santa-barbara-symphony-may-concertIan Bankhead, a senior at Laguna Blanca School and a member of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, who had the honor of playing with the Santa Barbara Symphony for its May concerts.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESFri, 23 May 2014 09:05:40 +0000Hospice of Santa Barbara thanks their donors at ‘Heart of Hospice’ eventhttps://society805.com/society-pages/hospice-of-santa-barbara-thanks-their-donors-at-heart-of-hospice-event
https://society805.com/society-pages/hospice-of-santa-barbara-thanks-their-donors-at-heart-of-hospice-eventHospice of Santa Barbara recently held a recognition reception for members of their Heart of Hospice sustaining donor program. The event was held on the front lawn of Hospice of Santa Barbara on the Riviera.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESTue, 20 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000Nash Rightmer & Erik ReeL's "Standing in Boots " Artists Openinghttps://society805.com/society-pages/slider-3
https://society805.com/society-pages/slider-3It was a warm and lovely spring evening last Saturday night when The Working Artist Ventura presented two artists who have been instrumental in the recent West Side and Ventura Avenue arts revival, Erik ReeL and Nash Rightmer. The opening had a steady flow of art lovers throughout the evening.
]]>SOCIETY PAGESTue, 13 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000